Fuel burning apparatus



July 10, 1945. Rf M. HARDGROVE 2,380,041

FUEL BURNING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 30, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 F' A lg 5f@ /2 f4 WIV IWW INVENTOR.

July 10,1945.

FUEL BURNING APPARATUS Filed sept. so, 1941 e sheets-sheet 5 INVENT OR.

Oney

"R, M. HARDGRovE 2,380,041

July 10, l94f5 R. M. HARDGROVE FUEL BURNING APPARATUS Filed sept. 5o, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 NvENTOR. /Qa//J/y /l/. Hclrdgz'ove Attorney July 10, 1945- R. M. HARDGROVE 2,380,041

FUEL BURNING APVP'ARATUS Filed Sept. 30, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. /2 11-7 IN VENT OR.

' a/ /rM//ardyove BY Attorney July 10, 1945- I R. M. HARDGROVE FUEL BURNING APPARATUS e sheets-shea 6 Filed Sept. 30, 1941 l N VE N TOR a/,D/I M/aragrqI/e wmftfney Patented July 1G, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT .OFFICE 2,380,041 FUEL BURNING APPARATUS Ralph M. Hardgrove, Westfield, N. J., assignor to i The Babcock & Wilcox Company, Newark, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Applicationseptember 30, 1941, Serial No. 412,921 15 Claims. (Cl. 110-1`04) burner port and an intimate and rapid mixing of the entering fuel with the required air for combustion, `vvhereby short flame combustion conditions and a high rate of heat release can be effectively secured. A further object is the provision'` of pulverized fuel burning apparatus of the character described which has a particularly low pressure drop therethrough, and a relatively low cost of construction and installation. A further object is the provision lof an improved pulverized fuel supply conduit construction which is especially adapted for use with pulvcrized fuel burners of the character described, whichk insures a substantially uniform distribution of the pulverized fuel particles in the pulverized fuel-air stream reaching the fuel burner.

The various `features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specinc objects attained by its use, referenceshould be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of my invention.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of one embodiment of `my invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are sectionstaken on the lines 2--2 and 3--3 respectively of Fig. 1; I,

Fig. 4 is a front elevation, partly in section, of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line E-iof Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is an enlarged View of a portion of the riiile of Fig. 5; t Y

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. l of another embodiment of the invention; Y

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 6 of a portion ofFigJ;`

Fig. 9 is a View similar to'Fig'. 4 of the ,fuel burner construction shown -in Fig. '7;

Fig.` 10f is a horizontal section taken` on 4the line lll-I0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a View similar to Figs. 1 and 7 of a further modiiication taken on the line I I--l l` of 4 Fig. 12 i Fig. 12 is a side elevation, partly in sectionQ4 taken on the line |2`|2 of Fig', 11;

Fig, 13 is a View similar to Figs.6 and 8 of a portion of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a central, vertlcal, Vsectional View` through a burner tip member ofthe `type shown,l

in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a bottom `view of a burner tip; andl Fig. 16 is a horizontal section talien on` the` In the drawings my invention is illustrated as embodied in several forms of pulverized fuelv burners arranged for downring through the roof l of a fluid cooled furnace having a row of Wall` cooling tubes extending across the burner port in transversely spaced relation. In the embodiment `illustrated in Figs. 1-6, a furnace chamber l0 having a horizontally inclined `roof l`| is provided With a rectangular burner port `|2 across which extends a row of similarly inclined fluid heating tubes,` M in transversely spaced relation. The burner port is elongated transversely of the tube row and opens into a surrounding Wind box l5 for combustion air. Thelwind box l5 is divided by vertical partions IB extending parallel to the tubes` I4 into a plurality of side-by-side` chambers forming in `eiect a Lrovv of separateV burner ports, each of which is occupiedby a pulverized fuel burner constructed and arranged in` accordance with the invention. With this ar-` rangement each ofthe burner ports receives a supply of combustion air from its own Clanper-l ply conduit delivers a uniformly distributed` stream of pulverized fuel and carrier air 4through a curveddistributor section 25 which is Iiiattened into a flaring rectangular transverse section,

which, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-6, is

elongated in a direction transversely of tl1`e burner port tubes I4. The lower orldischarge endv of the distributor isconnected to andregisters with a iiow divisionbox or ritlie 26 mounted'on the wind box. The outer wall of the section-`25` 'has a curvature at its lower end ,which tends to" direct the downflowing fuel particles towards the of pulverized fuel and carrier air in substantially the same fuel-air ratio,

Each discharge slot 28 is connected to a separate tubular member or burner tip 29 which extends from the bottom of the discharge slot to a point slightly above the level ofv the burner port tubes I4. The tubular members 29 are of attened oval transverse cross-section throughout .their lengths, the elongation being in a direction parallel to the tubes I4. To compensate for any inequalities in distribution of the pulverizedfuel to the discharge slots 28, the burner tips 29 are varranged in groups with the tips in each group receiving pulverized fuel and air from different portions of the main fuel-air stream from the distributor 25, 'and'delivering the different portions `to the same section of the corresponding burner port. For example, in each embodiment of the invention a group of selected burner tip members receiving pulverized fuel and air from different portions of the main fuel-air stream have their discharge ends in alignment longitudinally ofcorresponding burner port tubes. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. le, each srounccnssts of four adjoining burner tip members 2,3, withY the burnertips in each group having' their lower ends arranged to discharge through the same intertube [spaces of the burner port, lis-illustrated, each group includes burner tips 29e, 29h, 29,,` and 29d, the upper ends of` whichare arrangedside-by-side and the lower endsof which are bent into alignment and' spaced longitudinally of the same tube I4, as shown in Figs, i and ,5,v at opposite sides of the row of discharge slots 2 8. The lower ends of the burner tips of each group are i'lxed in position by tube spacers 30. consisting of angle bars connected to each burner tip and to each other, while the adjoining groups arejheld in fixed relation by spacer bars 3Iconnecti.ng corresponding tube spacers 3U of adjoining groups. Alternate burner port tubes I4 are provided wtnheat resistant `tube protectors 33 of upwardly tapering ribbed crosssection and symmetrically arranged relative to the 'corresponding tube `and group of burner tips. rI 'he intervening tubes have circular protectors 34 on their upper sides. The position of the burner tips relative to the tubes vI4 is also. fixed' by notched plates 35 fitting over the kcorresponding tubeprotectors 33,A and secured to the burner tips at the end of eachgroup, as shownin` Figs. l and 4. Holes for lancing tips are provided in bosses 35i on the outer wall of the distributor 25 and in alignment with corresponding burner tip `noembers. Y i With the described arrangement the entering stream of pulverized fuel, such as pulverized coal', andprimary combustion or carrier air is divided by the riflie into twelve portions transversely of the tube row, I4, Each portion flows downwardly through the corresponding tip member. and impinges on a corresponding tube protector which dividesthe stream into two substantially equal portions entering the furnace chamber through the adioining` Spaces `between the burner port tubes I4. As each small stream of pulverized fuel and primary air is discharged from the cor-l verized fuel and the air necessary for its com' bustion is readily secured as the fuel and air passes between the burner port tubes I4, This subdivision of the main fuel and primary air stream into a large number of small streams and the grouping of those streams in the described manner insures a substantially uniform ratio of the entering fuel and air throughout the fuel entrance area of the burner port and the maintenance of short name turbulent combustion in the furnace chamber.`

Special provisions are illustrated for insuring the delivery of a uniform mixture of pulverized fuel and primary air to the distributor section 25,r asshown in Figs. 1-3. When the furnace is direct-fired a. supply pipe 31 receives a mixture of pulverized fuel and air froma suitable pulver-ize'r lconnected to its lower end. As long as the fuel-air mixture is traveling vertically, its density will be substantially uniform throughout its cross-sectional area, but any changes from the vertical will effect a, redistribution of the fue] particles in the flowing stream due to gravitational and/or centrifugal efects'thereon. The portion of the supply conduit in whichthe necessary bends are included to connect the'same to the downwardly discharging distributor is specially constructed to control the segregation of the fuel particles therein due to centrifugal force,

while retaining a low pressure drop through this portion of the, supply conduit. For-this purpose the upper end of the vertical portion of the pipe 3T leads 'intoa verticalA transition section 38 which is shapedto progressively convert the circular cross-section of the pipe into a, flattened rectangular section, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. `The transition section 38 in turn is connected to a similarly flattened bend section 39 of the crosssectional form shown in Fig. 3, the elongation thereof being in the same direction as the elongation of the distributor 25.` The bend section 39 in turn connects to a transition section 40- which converts the flattened rectangular flow area into a circular cross-section corresponding to the circular'cross-section of a following straight section 4I The straight section III in turn connects to a third transition section 42 which converts the circular ow area into a attened rectangular now area elongated in the same direction as and registering ,withv the upper end of the distributor 25. As shown in Figs. land 4, the distributor sectioniiares outwardly in the direction of its elongation. while tapering towards its lower end where it joins the riflie 26.

It has been found that the best results forl obtaining the delivery of v a pulverized fuel-primary air stream of substantially uniform density to the upper endof the distributor is attained by using certain proportions of the lengths and4 dimensions ofthe conduit sections 38, 39, 4u, III, 42, and the distributor 25. When D is the diameter of the straight section III, the transition section 38 should be approximately 1.8D in length, the flattened bend section 39 should have a radius of approximately 1.8D, linear dimensions of approximately .525D l.5D, and an arcuate length of to 180. The transition section 40 should have a length of approximately 1.8D while the straight section 4I should be at least 2D in length and normally not more than 8D. The transition section 42 should be approximately 2D in length with an angle `of flare of not more than 16. The distributor should have a minimum length of l.88"-(3N-1.56D) Where N is the number `of burner tips employed. The distributor should preferably' flare at an angle of not more ,than 30 when the above length is used, and in any case be approximately larger than the angle formed by the flared sides of the transition section 42; 'Ille distrib utor should also be curved with a radius of from 12 to 18 inches and with an arcuate length of from 80 to 120. The `foregoing arrangement vpermits the approach section of the fuelsupply conduit to have a constant cross-sectional area throughout its length, so that the pressure loss through this section will be kept as low as possible. proach section of the fuel supply conduit has been found to result in the delivery of a fuel` air stream of approximately uniform density throughout the flow area of the distributor riffle, and consequently asubstantially uniform distribution of the fuel throughout the burner Y.

port fuel entrance area.`

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 7-10, a construction of the distributor and fuel burner -is illustrated for installation in which the fuel supply conduit is at an angle of approximately 90 to the arrangement shown in Fig. l. In this construction the stream of pulverized` fuel and carrier air is delivered to a curved nozzle exe `tension 50 of a distributor 5I, the nozzle and distributor being of flattened rectangular crosssection and elongated in the samedirection as the furnace roof tubes M.. tributor -are of uniform rectangular cross-sectional area throughout `their length, the distributor having at its flanged lower end an in-` clined row of riifle bars 52 uniformly spaced therein to provide the desired number of fuel discharge slots 53. The arrangement of the distributor 5| and row of discharge slots 53 lengthwise of the tubes I4 affords an advantageous arrangement for the burner tip members 55 connected thereto relative to the 'burner port. As shown in Fig. 10, sixteen discharge slots 53 are provided and a corresponding num ber of burner tip members 55 connected thereto. Each of the burner tips 55 has an upper hanged end connected to the lower end of the distribu-` tor 5| and tapers downwardly in a direction transversely of the tube rowwhile flaring in a direction lengthwise of the tubes i4. `The lower end of each burner tip is formed by `a short welded section 5B of heat resistant alloy steel which flares outwardly on all sides.

The burner tips are arranged in groups 55a, 55h, 55C and 55d, each group consisting of four selectively spaced burner tips, in this embodiment every fourth burner tip, receiving pulverized fuel and air from different portions of the main fuel-air stream and having theirdischarge ends in alignment longitudinally of corresponding burner port tubes. `In this constructionhowever all of the burner tips have their lower `ends offset and adjacent burner tips have their discharge ends arranged superjacent to different alternate tubes of the tube row M at opposite sides of their connection to thedistributor 5|. Corresponding burner tips in the groups are not in alignment transversely of the tube row I4 but insteadare slightly staggered,

as indicated in Fig.' 10. All` of` the burnerftips of each group are arranged in a similar man- The described construction of the apvner over the same burner port tube I4. The

discharge ends of the burner tips are similar 'cross-section to those shown in Fig. and

also are elongated in the direction of the tubes I4. `The burner tips of each group are held in fixed spaced relationby tie bars 51 secured along s the sides thereof and are also supported on the tube protectors 33 in the manner previously s combustion air in the scribed. v

The nozzle and disdescribed. i With thisconstruction and arrangement of the fuel burner ports, each alternate port tube it will be impacted by flattened lfuel streams at spaced points, with the fuel streams impact- `ing each `tube being `substantially identical in In the modification illustrated in Figs. iii-i6, a fuel burner having twelve burner tips is ,illustrated. In this construction the burner tip members l0 are of circular cross-section and uniform diameter substantially throughout their entire length, with their lower end portions l'l attened as illustrated in Fig. 15, the elongation being in the direction of the burner port tubes I4. The burner tips are divided into i groups 10a, 10b, and l0, `each group'v consisting o-f four selectively spaced tip members, in 'this embodiment every third burner tip,` receiving pulverized fuel and air from different portions of the main fuel-air` stream and having their discharge ends in alignment longitudinally ofv the same burner port tube in the same manner as the modification illustrated in Figs.` 7-10, except that in the construction shown in Figs. 11-16 the corresponding tip members of the `groups are in alignment transversely of the tubes |4.` All of the burner tipmembers are `held in fixed relation by `spacer members 13.

The operation of the burner construction shown in Figs. 11-16 is substantially the same as that shown in Figs.` 7-10. i l i i i While in accordance With the provisions of the f statutes I have illustrated and described herein the best forms of the invention nofw knownto me,

those skilled in thev art will understand that changes may be made in the form of theappa ratus disclosed without `departing from the spirit of the invention covered `by my claims, and that certain features of my invention may sometimes i be used to` advantage without use of other features.

1. In a furnace `having a burner port in one of the walls thereof, and a row `of spaced fluid heating tubes extending across said burner port. fuel burning apparatus comprising a conduitifor` conveying a stream `of pulverized fuel and air and terminating in a section of elongated cross-sec, tion, means for` dividing the fuel stream into a a corresponding `series of small streams arranged side-bwside, and a series of burner tip members arranged to receive corresponding fuel streams, said burner tip members being arranged in groups with the` burner tip members of each group having` their across said burner port, fuel burning apparatus comprising a conduit for conveying a stream of pulverized fuel and air and terminating in a section of elongated cross-section, means for dividing the fuel stream into a series ofV small streams arranged side-by-side in a single row, and a series of burner tip members arranged to receive corresponding fuel streams, said burner tip members being arranged in groups with the burner tip members of each group having their discharge ends in alignment longitudinalh7 of corresponding subjacent burner port tubes and the discharge ends of at least some of said burner tip members being arranged at opposite sides of said stream dividing means.

3. In a furnace having a burner port in one of the walls thereof, and a rovv of spaced fluid heating tub'esextending across said burner port, fuel burning apparatus comprising a conduit for conveying a stream of pulverized fuel and air and terminating in a section of elongated cross-section transversely of said burner port tubes, means for dividing the fuel stream into a series of small streams arranged side-by-side in a single .row transversely of said burner port tubes, and a series of burner tip members arranged to receive corresponding fuel streams, adjoining burner tip members being arranged in successive groups with the burner tip members of each group having their discharge ends offset fro'm their fuel inlet ends and in alignment longitudinally of corresponding burner port tubes.

4. Ina furnace having a burner port 1n one of the Walls thereof, and a row of spaced horizontally arranged fluid-heating tubes extendingV across said burner port, fuel burning apparatus comprising a conduit for conveying a stream of pulverized fuel and air and terminating in a section of elongated cross-section transversely of said burner port tubes, means for dividing the fuel stream into a series of small streams arranged side-by-side in a `row transversely of said burner port tubes, and a series of burner tip members arranged to receive corresponding fuel streams, said burner tip members being arranged in groups with the burner tip members lof each group having their discharge ends `in alignment longitudinally of corresponding subgacent burner port tubes.

5. In a furnace having a burner port in one of the walls thereof, and a'roW of spaced uidheating tubes extending across said burnerport, fuel burning apparatus comprising a conduit for conveying a stream of pulverized fuel and air and terminating in a section of elongated cross-section transversely of said burner port tubes, means for dividing the fuel stream into a series of small streams arranged side-by-side in a rovv Atransversely of said burner port tubes, and a series of burner tip members arrangedto receive corresponding fuel streams, adioining` burner tip members being arranged in successive groups with the burner tip members of each group having their nally of and arranged to ing burner port tubes at stream dividing means.

6. In a furnace having a burner port in one of the walls thereof, and a row of spaced horizontally arranged oW dividing members extending impinge on correspondopposite sides of said discharge ends in alignment longitudil across said burner port, fuel burning apparatus comprising a conduit for conveying a stream of pulverized fuel and air and terminating in a section of `elongated cross-section transversely of said burner'port members, means for dividing the Y fuel stream intoy 'a s'eries of small streams arranged side-by-si'de in a row transversely of said burner port members, and a series of burner tip members arranged to receive corresponding fuel streams, adjoining burner tip members being arranged in successivegroups with the burner tip members of each group having their discharge ends in alignment longitudinally of and arranged to impinge on corresponding subjacent burner port members.

7. In a furnace having a burner portin one of the Walls thereof, fuel burning apparatus comprising a conduit for conveying a stream of fuel and terminating in an elongated cross-section transversely of said burner port, means fordividing the fuel stream into a series of small streams arranged side-by-side' in a ro-vvtransversely of said burner port, and a series of burner tip members arranged to receive corresponding fuel streams, adjoining burner tip members being arranged in successive groupswith the burner tip members of each group having their discharge ends in spaced alignment longitudinally of said burner port.

8. A fuel burner comprising la conduit for con-` prising a fuel burner having a series of down- Wardly discharging burner tip members with their upper fuel inlet ends arranged side-by-side in a single row, and a supply conduit for conveying a stream of pulverized fuel and air to said fuel burner, said supply conduit having its portion approaching said fuel burner formed by a horizontally arranged straight section of uniform circular cross-section, a transition section pro- 'gressively changing from the circular cross-section of said straight section to a flattened rectangular cross-section of the same area elongated in a direction parallel to said row of burner tip member fuel inlet ends, and a downwardly curved flaring distributor section of rectangular cross-section and constant flow area elongated in a direction parallel to the elongation of said tranf sition section, and means at the lower end of said distributor section for dividing said pulverized fuel-air stream into small streams corresponding in number to said burner tip members.

1G. Apparatus for burning pulverized fuel comprising a fuel burner having a series of down- Wardly discharging burner tip members with their upper fuel inlet ends arranged side-by-side in a single row, and a supply conduit for conveying a stream of pulverized f-uel and air to said fuel burner, said supply conduit having its portion approaching said fuel burner formed by a horizontally arrangedA straight section of uniform circular cross-section, a transition section having a length approximately twice the diameter. of said straight section. and progressively `changing 2,380,041 "i f i i p and a haring distributor section of rectangular 5 cross-section and similar area elongated in a direction parallel tothe elongation of said transition section and downwardly curved with an arcuate length between 80-120, and means atv the lower end of said distributor section for dividing said pulverized fuel-air stream into small streams corresponding in number to said burner tip members.

11. In a furnace having a burner `port in one of the walls thereof, and a row of spaced hori 15 zontally arranged fluid heating tubes extending across said burner port, fuel burner apparatus comprising a conduit for conveying a stream of pulverized fuel and air and terminating in a section of elongated cross-section longitudinally of said burner port tubes, means for dividing the fuel stream into a series of small streams arranged side-by-side in a single row longitudinally of said burner port tubes, and a series of yburner tip members arranged to receive corresponding fuel streams, adjoining burner tip members being arranged in different groups with the burner tip members of each group having their discharge ends extending longitudinally of the same subjacent burner port tube.

12. In a furnace having a burner port in one of the walls thereof, and a row of spaced horizontally arranged fluid heating tubes extending across said burner port, fuel burning apparatus pulverized fuel and 'air and terminating in a section of elongated cross-section longitudinally of said burner port tubes, means for dividing the fuel stream into a series of small streams arranged side-by-side in a single row longitudinally 401 of said burner port tubes, and a series of burner' tip members arranged to receive correspondlng ends offset from their fuel inlet ends and in align,n ment longitudinally of the same subjacent burner port tube. l

13. In a furnace having a burner port 1n one across said burner port, fuel burning apparatus i Y comprising a conduit forconveying a stream ofy pulverized fuel and air and terminating in la section of elongated cross-,section longitudinally of said burner port tubes, means for `dividing the fuel stream into a series of small streams arranged side-by-side in a single row longitudinally of said burner port tubes, and a series of burner tip members arranged to receive corresponding` fuel streams, adjoining burnertip members being arranged in different groups with the burner tip members of each group having their discharge ends in alignment longitudinally of the same subjacent burner port tube and the discharge ends of adjacent lburner tip members beingarranged at Opposite sides 0f said stream dividing means.

14. In a furnace having a burner portin one of the walls thereof, and a rowof spaced fluid heating tubes extending across said burner port;

fuel burning apparatus comprising a conduit for conveying a stream of `pulverized Vfuel and air and terminating'in a section of elongated cross# section longitudinally of said burner port tubes, means for dividing the fuel stream into a series of small streams arranged sideeby-,side in a single row longitudinally of said burner port tubes, and

a .series of burner tip members arranged to rece1ve corresponding fuel streams, adjoining burner tip members being arranged in different 0 groups with the burner tip members of each group'having their discharge ends in alignment longitudinally of the same burnerport tube, and corresponding burner tip membersof said groups having their discharge 'ends in` alignment transcomprising a conduit for conveying a stream of versely of said burner port tubes. i

15. In a furnace having a burner port in one ofthe walls thereof,ifuel burning apparatus comprising a conduit for conveying a stream of `fuel and terminating in a section of elongated crosssection longitudinally of saidburner port, means forl dividing the fuel stream into a seriespf small streams arranged side-by-side in asingle row longitudinally of said burner port, and a seriesof Vburner tip members arranged to receive corre-1 spending fuel streams, adjoining burner tip members being arranged` in different groupswith the burner tip members of each group having their discharge ends offset from `their fuel inlet lends `and nspaced alignment longitudinally of of the walls thereof, and a row of spaced hori- -l said burner`por1-,-

zontally arranged fluid heating tubes extending `RALPH M. HARDGRovE. 

